December 30, 2003

Fantasy is in right now, at least with me. Recently, i've been drawn to film adaptations of literary works, such as Tipping the Velvet (made for BBC) and of course, The Return of the King.
I read the trilogy by Tolkien first before watching the Peter Jackson adaptation, but with Tipping the Velvet I saw the BBC adaptation before reading the book. Of course I couldn't wait to see ROTK and had to see it the week it came out. I braved the long lines and cranky holiday shoppers. I even tolerated the packed theater with people rushing to get their popcorn and sodas making it impossible to start the movie on time. It was worth it. This last installment of the trilogy was melancholy, dark, and captivating. Not one moment was wasted ( I think the extended version will probably fill some holes in the narrative), the journey through Middle Earth is coming to an end and Jackson lets us know it. The next time I see it I'm going to bring a box of kleenex with me because the entire film is a big cry-fest. The trilogy sets the standards for all epic and fantasy films to come.
Tipping the Velvet is a lighter costume drama BBC production. With "light" I don't mean fluffy or stupid, the story itself contains many real life scenarios and a bit of social commentary. Set in the late 1800's, the story begins in Whitstable where we meet a young woman, Nan Astley. Nan works at her father's oyster parlor and leads a relatively normal life until she meets a "masher" (male impersonator), Kitty Butler at a local music hall. In love, Nan follows Kitty to London where Nan begins her story of self-discovery. Through she has many mishaps and practices poor judgment, she finally finds a home for herself. It's nice to see a costume drama about poor people for a change and not another tiresome (though I do enjoy them quite a bit) story about society people in their lush country home.

December 05, 2003

Criterion Collection released another classic worthy of their name, Frederico Fellini's neo-realist classic, La Strada (1954). La Strada opens with Gelsomina (Giulietta Masina) walking at the seaside picking up sticks for fire-burning, lost in her thoughts she is interrupted by her siblings- a man, Zampano (Anthony Quinn) has bad news to tell. Her sister died and he needs another wife to assist him with his traveling circus telling the mother he can "even teach dogs" therefore Gelsomina can be taught new tricks. Zampano offers the mother money and Gelsomina leaves her sheltered life to go with him. Little time has passed and we witness the brutality Zampano inflicts on Gelsomina. Because of Gelsomina's Chaplinesque movements and child-like innocence, she seems shielded from his cruelty. Zamapano, with his strong man circus routine, is a caricature, an empty being, unable to feel humanity and empathy.Fellini uses imagery he frequently indulges in- circuses, religious iconography, parades, freaks, and music. Gelsomina's song, written by Nino Rota, is a constant reminder that music is central to her life. After a tragedy, Gelsomina becomes crazy and ultimately it takes her life. Zampano moves on, seemingly unmoved by her death, until he hears her song and realizes there was love there all along.

Well, at least I hope that sooner or later we'll get rid of one...Today from The Washington Times there's an amusing account on Bush's surprise T-Day visit. The turkey in his hands are fake, plastic, a mere photo-op (the turkey was made for pure asthetics not for eating). One can look into this further and think the bird isn't the only thing fake in the picture.
Innocent enough, but if you look at the facts you'll see that there was a purpose to this vist other than supporting the troops. He was there for only an hour of pure theatrics. According to The Washington Times article his overall approval has gone up since the covert visit:

"A poll conducted four days after Thanksgiving by the National Annenberg Election Survey put Bush's job approval rating at 61 percent, up from 56 percent during the four days before the holiday. His job disapproval rating dropped from 41 percent to 36 percent. His personal popularity increased from 65 percent to 72 percent. The polls of 789 people before Thanksgiving and 847 people after Thanksgiving each had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points."

Not that you can really count on these polls, it's just amazing how a photo-op can possibly change things a little compassion here and there we're sold.